Interview with author Christine Rice

ERIN: Welcome to Ramblings of a Writer, Christine. Will you share a little bit about yourself?Christine: Absolutely. I’m the author of three books: Poetry for the Heart, Essays for the Soul, and My Not-So-Ordinary Life. I’ve been a published writer and author since 2007 and I’ve been a freelance writer and editor since 2011.

ERIN: Tell me about My Not-So-Ordinary Life (http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/my-not-so-ordinary-life-an-autobiography/18835054) and where it's available.

Christine: My Not-So-Ordinary Life is an autobiography of my life up to age 28. It tells my story of growing up in a small town with only the desire for happiness and independence, and after discovering who I was, and struggling through adolescence, I finally chose a healthy and wholesome life, and decided to further my education so that I could pursue my dream of becoming a writer. It is available at the Apple iBookstore, the Nook Bookstore, Amazon (Kindle), Lulu, and Smashwords.

ERIN: Where do you like to write? Is there a specific place that inspires you?
Christine: Just recently I converted a spare bedroom into an office, and that is where I do most of my writing. I write on the computer at my desk, and I get a lot accomplished, because I have lots of privacy and quiet, which I like. I also have a bookshelf in my office with all of my favorite books, and a bed in the corner where I can comfortably read and do research.

ERIN: When/how did you decide you wanted to write for a living?
Christine: In 2005, I read The Weight Loss Diaries by Courtney Rubin, who is a journalist for Shape magazine. The book is a collection of articles from her column in which she writes about her yearlong experiences with losing weight and getting fit. I loved the idea of writing about an interest for a career. That was the first time I seriously considered being a writer, and I began pursuing my dream immediately.

ERIN: What do you do to keep things new and fresh?
Christine: My interests change quite often, so I’m always reading about new topics or stories. I incorporate the ideas I get when I read into my writing, so I’ve written about a lot of different topics and a variety of books.

ERIN: Do you have a favorite quote you’’d like to share?
Christine: Yes. “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King, On Writing. For me, it’s not easy making sure I write every day, but it’s easier to do that than to skip days. Because if a day has passed since the last time I’ve written, it is difficult to begin. That is where the quote comes in. So I end up just doing it – sit down and begin writing – and it goes well and I feel great afterwards.

ERIN: What's next for you?
Christine: I’m planning on publishing two books this year – a reference book for freelance writers new to the industry, and a compilation of all my past journal entries. After that, I don’t have a plan as to what’s next, but something always comes up. And I’m sure I’ll be writing about it.

ERIN: What’’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
Christine: Editing a book is the most challenging, because it takes a long time and it’s detailed work. The most rewarding part of writing is the completion of each writing session, because I feel good that I completed my purpose for the day; and also, after publication, when I know that people are reading my books and, therefore, are seeing into the depths of my heart.

ERIN: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Christine: For fiction, I like Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, Ernest Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. For nonfiction, I like health, psychology, self-help, memoirs, and reference books, and some of my favorite authors are Geneen Roth, Robert Bly, Mary Pipher, and Anne Lamott. I’m currently reading The Indie Journey: Secrets to Writing Success by Scott Nicholson.

Thank you, Christine, for taking the time to do this interview. I really appreciate it. I wish you the best in publishing the two books you spoke of, a reference book for freelance writers new to the industry, and a compilation of all your past journal entries. You can find Christine on Twitter. @Christine_Rice